What Is Anterograde Memory: Symptoms, Evaluation And Exercises

Anterograde memory is the ability to remember information that has been recently acquired. That is, it is the ability to store and remember events and experiences that have occurred to us after an injury or disease that affects the brain. This type of memory is essential in our daily lives, since it allows us to remember important things such as the names of people, the places we visit, the appointments we have, etc.

Keep reading this article to learn about the symptoms you may have if you suffer from anterograde memory and exercises to treat it.

Symptoms of impaired anterograde memory

Anterograde memory loss manifests itself as an inability to remember facts or events that occur after an injury or illness that affects the brain. Some of the most common symptoms of anterograde memory include:

• Forgetting information that has just been learned.
• Difficulty remembering names, dates, addresses and other important information.
• Repeating questions or stories due to the inability to remember what has been said previously.
• Difficulty learning new skills or performing new tasks.
• Loss of track of time.

Anterograde memory assessment

The evaluation of anterograde memory is carried out through specific neuropsychological tests. These tests allow health professionals to evaluate the individual’s cognitive performance and detect any deficits in anterograde memory.

Some of the most common neuropsychological tests to evaluate anterograde memory are:

• Memorization and learning of a list of words with the Free and Cued Selective Remaining Test (Buschke, 1984): the patient is presented with a list of words and is asked to remember them immediately afterwards. You are then made to recall the list of words after a set time, usually after a few minutes, with the aim of evaluating the ability to retain new information.
• The reproduction of geometric figures such as Rey’s Complex Figure (Rey, 1941): the patient is presented with a geometric figure and asked to draw it by copying it. And after a certain time, you are made to draw the figure to evaluate the ability to retain visual information.
• Memorizing stories with the WMS III Logical Stories (Wechsler, 2012): the patient is presented with a couple of stories and asked to remember them immediately afterwards. Then, after a certain time, you are made to remember the most important elements of the two stories to evaluate the ability to retain verbal and narrative information.
• Recognition tests: the patient is presented with a series of stimuli, such as words, images or sounds, and is asked to identify them among a series of distractions. This test evaluates the ability to recognize new information.

5 exercises to work anterograde memory

If you have problems with anterograde memory, it is important to work with a neuropsychologist who will design a specific cognitive rehabilitation plan for you. Here we offer you five different exercises that you can work on independently at home, to help you improve your anterograde memory.

Practice repetition

Repeat out loud the information you want to remember several times. Some exercises are the repetition of single words or phrases. To put into practice in everyday life, if you are introduced to a new person, repeat their name several times to encourage it to stick in your memory.

Use the association method

Do association exercises to learn to associate new information with something you already know. Some exercises to work on association are to use images associated with words, the person must learn these associations by creating sentences with the image and the word, and then seeing the image remember the word that was associated. To put it into practice in everyday life and following the previous example, if you are introduced to someone new named Juan, think of someone you know who is also called Juan, to encourage you to remember his name.

Create lists

Make lists of things you want to remember, like a shopping list or a to-do list. You can write these lists on paper or a notes app on your phone so you always have it with you.

Work your memory

Do memory exercises with mobile games or board games to help improve your memory. Some games that are useful are visual memory games such as memory, which works on immediate memory, or word games.

Maintain a routine

Establish a daily routine to help your brain remember and learn new things more effectively. For example, establish fixed times for your personal tasks, such as exercising, reading for a while, or times to watch television.

What is the difference between anterograde and retrograde memory?

Anterograde and retrograde memory are two distinct types of memory impairment that affect the ability to form and recall memories. Anterograde memory refers to the inability to create new memories after a specific event or trauma. Individuals with anterograde amnesia struggle to retain information beyond the point of the triggering incident, making it challenging to learn new facts or remember recent events.

On the other hand, retrograde memory involves the difficulty in recalling memories that occurred before a certain point in time. Retrograde amnesia often results from head injuries, trauma, or neurological disorders, causing individuals to lose access to memories formed prior to the triggering event. This impairment can vary in severity, with some individuals experiencing a partial loss of past memories while others may struggle to remember a significant portion of their personal history.

Is dementia retrograde or anterograde amnesia?

Dementia encompasses a range of cognitive impairments, with memory loss being a prominent feature. Retrograde amnesia refers to the inability to recall past memories, while anterograde amnesia involves difficulty forming new memories. In the context of dementia, both types of amnesia can manifest, but the severity and progression vary. Retrograde amnesia may impact the recollection of events preceding the onset of dementia, often leading to a fragmented memory timeline. Anterograde amnesia, on the other hand, hinders the ability to create and retain new memories, affecting day-to-day activities. Dementia patients often experience a combination of retrograde and anterograde amnesia, contributing to the complexity of their cognitive challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, anterograde memory allows us to learn new things and remember relevant information, which is why it is essential for learning and acquiring new knowledge. If a person has difficulties in this area, they may have problems remembering new information, retaining new learning, or even performing everyday tasks. Rehabilitation of anterograde memory is important because it can improve the quality of life of people who have difficulties in this area. This rehabilitation can have a positive impact on the autonomy and independence of the person in their daily life, where the person can be more efficient in carrying out daily tasks such as managing their medication, making purchases or managing the technology. It is important that rehabilitation is carried out by a professional specialized in neuropsychology, who will design a specific intervention plan for each case.